The term "proxy" is a reference to a proxy also referred to a proxy server a server software which serves to act as an intermediary for a client and a server on the internet. Without the need for proxy, a user can send a request directly to a server while the server will then provide the resource directly back for the client. While this approach is straightforward to comprehend and utilize, using proxies has benefits including improved performance, privacy, security, and much more. As a further layer of pass-through, the proxy serves as a security guardian of the internet between servers and clients.

Generally speaking, the bundled system of server hardware coupled with proxy software installed is sometimes referred to as a proxy server. This article will focus on the types of proxies that are typically thought as software, and specifically in relation with web server. The article will provide an explanation of the two main types that are available, including a forward proxy and the other a reverse proxy. reverse proxy. Each type has its own usage scenario, which is often misunderstood due to the overlapping terminology.

This article will provide the knowledge of what proxies are and the subtypes they are, as well as how they work with a range of configurations. In this article, you'll learn to determine the circumstances in which it is beneficial to use a proxy and select the best option between forward and reverse proxy in any circumstance.

Understanding Forward Proxies

Forward proxy sometimes referred to as an open proxy, acts as an intermediary to allow a user to make a connection via the internet to a source server. In this situation the entire process of sending requests by the user will instead be made through the forward proxy. The forward proxy, acting on behalf as the customer, is able to examine at the request. In the beginning, it will decide whether this client is able to handle requests via this particular forward proxy. Then, it will either reject requests or redirect them to the original server. The client is not capable of having an internet connection directly. It is only able to access what the forward proxy permits the client to connect.

A common use case of forward proxy is to achieve more privacy or security on the internet. A forward proxy accesses the internet as a client, and in that process it can use an alternative IP address to that of the client's initial IP address.

Based on how it's been configured in accordance with the configuration forward proxy may offer a range of features and let you:

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  Avoid tracking ads.
  
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  Circumvent surveillance.
  
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  Find restrictions based on your geolocation.
  
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Forward proxies can also be used in systems that rely on central security as well as permission-based access, such as at a workplace. If all traffic on the internet flows via an open forward proxy, administrators can allow access only to a select group of people to connect on the internet. This is then filtered by a standard firewall. Instead of creating security firewalls at the user layer, which can be used by several computers that have different configurations, settings, firewalls may be set up at the layer that forwards proxy traffic.

It is crucial to keep in mind that forward proxies must be configured manually and reverse proxies can be ignored by the client. Depending on the type IP address a client is sent to the server from which it was received through the forward proxy, anonymity and privacy can be granted or denied.

There are several options to consider for forward proxy possibilities:

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  Apache A well-known, open-source web server that offers forward proxy capabilities.
  
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  Nginx: Another well-known open source server for hosting websites with forward proxy features.
  
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  Squid: An open-source forward proxy using the HTTP protocol. It's not the entire webserver system. It is possible to refer to our step-by-step guide to install Squid proxy to allow private connections on Ubuntu 20.04.
  
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  Dante Forward Proxy which uses the SOCKS protocol instead of HTTP which makes it better suited for usage in scenarios such as peer-to-peer traffic. You might also want to learn how to setup a Dante proxy to connect privately in Ubuntu 20.04
  
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Understanding Reverse Proxies

Reverse proxy acts as an intermediary to a web server that handles any requests that come in from customers on its behalf. The web server could function as a one server, or as a series of servers. Additionally, it can be used for application servers, such as Gunicorn. In any event, a request would come via the internet at large. Most often the request will be sent directly to the web server with what the client is seeking. However, reverse proxy acts as an intermediary, shielding the web server from direct contact to the open internet.

From the consumer's point view the experience of interacting with reverse proxy isn't any different than working with the server on its own. It's exactly the same but the client can't tell the distinction. The client can make a request for the resource and it is provided with it, with no additional configuration needed from the client.

Reverse proxy providers offer services such as:

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  Secured centrally for Web Server Layer.
  
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  The direction of traffic coming in is according to the rules you establish.
  
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  The caching function was added to the application.
  
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While centralized security can be a benefit of both forward and reverse proxy services, reverse proxy providers this service for the Web server layer, but not the client layer. Instead of maintaining firewalls on Web server layers, which could comprise multiple servers with different configurations, most of the firewall security is directed towards the reverse proxy layer. In addition eliminating the responsibility of working with firewalls and responding to requests from customers outside of web servers permits them to focus on delivering the needs of their customers.

If there are multiple servers operating through a reverse proxy the reverse proxy also is responsible for directing which requests go to which server. There could be multiple web servers providing the exact same service, all offering various kinds of resources or a combination of both. They could use the HTTP protocol to function as a traditional web server. However, they could include other protocols for application servers like FastCGI. You can configure a reverse proxy to direct users to a particular server based on the service requested or to adhere to specific guidelines for traffic load.

Reverse proxies also have the ability to benefit from their positioning prior to web servers by offering the capability to store information. The large static files can be set by caching rules so that they do not prevent the web server from getting hit every time a request is made. Certain software solutions let you offer static files directly and without having to connect with the server. Additionally the reverse proxy can manage the compression of these files.

The well-known Nginx web server can also be a reliable reverse proxy option. You can also use the Apache web server has reverse proxy capabilities but it's an additional option for Apache and Nginx was designed originally for and is focused specifically on reverse proxy capabilities.

The distinction between the use of reverse and forward proxy Examples

Since "forward" and "reverse" are associated with directionality, as well as false connections with "incoming" and "outgoing" traffic the labels can be confusing since both types of proxies can handle requests as well as responses. Another method of separating between forward and reverse proxy is to study the requirements of the app that you are creating.

A reverse proxy is helpful when creating a solution to serve web applications on the internet. They serve as your web servers for all interactions over the internet.

Forward proxy can be beneficial when it is displayed in front of customers either for your personal use or within an organization. It is a way to protect the information of your client every time you use the internet.

Distinguishing by use case instead of focusing solely on standard naming conventions can assist you in making sure that there is no confusion.

Conclusion

The article explained the meaning of a proxy having two types: reverse proxy and forward proxy. Practical use cases along with an examination of the most useful features were used to define the two types of proxies which are reverse and forward. If you're keen to know more about the possibilities of proxies then we recommend you read our guide on how to configure Nginx as an internet server as well as reverse proxy in Apache on an Ubuntu 20.04 server.

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